Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald are coming to Switch: impact on the franchise and players

In brief

• Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald are being brought to Nintendo Switch in late September or October.
• Historical sales figures suggest Pokémon Sapphire may sell better than Ruby.
• Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are the best-selling Pokémon games in Japan, with more than 8.3 million copies sold.

GAME-scanner analysis

The upcoming release of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald on Switch marks an important step for the franchise, which has been a staple in gaming for decades. Expectations are high thanks to a reliable leak, increasing the chances that these titles will appeal to a new generation of players. Previous sales figures for Pokémon Sapphire, which outperformed the original Ruby, may point to a trend that could repeat with these new releases. This is especially relevant given the recent performance of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which have sold more than 8.3 million copies in Japan, making them the best-selling titles in the series. It shows that the Pokémon franchise still has enormous appeal, even at a time when players are becoming more demanding.

What does this mean for players?

For players, the return of these classic titles on Switch means not only the chance to relive nostalgic experiences, but also the opportunity to experience these games with improved graphics and possibly new features. This could further boost the franchise’s appeal, especially among younger players who may never have played these titles before. The question, however, is whether the sales trend of Sapphire outselling Ruby will continue with these new releases.

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